Torpedo mount water bottle and racing

Dave Campbell

 Based on some info that was posted last year on cockpit setup, I switched the Profile aero bottle out for a Torpedo mounted water bottle holder on the aerobars.  In training, its worked fine.  I'm racing a half with this setup this weekend and today it occured to me that I will have to carry disposable bottles and use what I get off the course.  I've got a gorilla cage mounted on the thing so it holds most bottles well.  A couple questions

 

1. Do you just time your drinks at turns, etc where you come out of the aero position or how do you drink.  With the old aero bottle, the straw was just there and I could drink any time while staying aero. 

2. Seems like it would be a PITA to deal with a bottle off the course that had a screw on lid without a sportsdrink cap.  How do you deal with that situation.  

I know the old tried and true aero bottle with the straw took a beating with the wind tunnel tests, but seems like it could present some advantages at the same time?

 

Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

tuckerm

Buy a Torhans mount system if you prefer the straw. They have a faring on the straw to mitigate drag and have designed the bottle to be as aero as a torpedo mount.
As to your questions, have you not practiced this? You should be able to drink from the while still aero. Where is your second mount and where will you get your calories?

Cary Blanco

I think it'll be hard to find a course that doesn't give out sports bottles (I'm sure there will now be a reply about a races that don't). More of an issue is when the volunteers remove the cap from the water bottle that prevents the water from leaking out when it's horizontal. I've had that happen a few times, just keep an eye out, slow down, ask nicely and thank them for getting you one with a cap.

Also, in San Juan for example, the stores do not sell sports bottles (I assume the RD has them shipped in special for the bike aid stations), so I'm always now sure to bring a throw away bottle with me to start the race.

GMAN 19030

Posted By Dave Campbell on 01 May 2012 08:35 PM

 Based on some info that was posted last year on cockpit setup, I switched the Profile aero bottle out for a Torpedo mounted water bottle holder on the aerobars.  In training, its worked fine.  I'm racing a half with this setup this weekend and today it occured to me that I will have to carry disposable bottles and use what I get off the course.  I've got a gorilla cage mounted on the thing so it holds most bottles well.  A couple questions

 

1. Do you just time your drinks at turns, etc where you come out of the aero position or how do you drink.  With the old aero bottle, the straw was just there and I could drink any time while staying aero. 

2. Seems like it would be a PITA to deal with a bottle off the course that had a screw on lid without a sportsdrink cap.  How do you deal with that situation.  

I know the old tried and true aero bottle with the straw took a beating with the wind tunnel tests, but seems like it could present some advantages at the same time?

 

Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

The new Speedfil A2 is a torpedo system with a straw.  http://trisports.com/speedfill-a2.html

Are you not running two bottles - torpedo and one on the frame?  One for water, one for nutrition.

I have my computer set to beep at me every 15 minutes (or 12 if it's warmer) and I break from aero for 20 seconds or so and drink what I need to drink.  It's not that big of a deal and it gives me a 20 second rest from the aero position every 15 minutes.

I've never seen screw caps on a race course.  It has always been the spray type.

Nate Parady

http://y-rocket.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-carry-water-bottles-on-bike-for.html

Good blog post on setup.

dotcatlin

I have a torpedo on my aerobars and a speedfil down below. I do concentrated infinit in aero and water only in speedfil. Grab from course and fill up as I go. In an HIM it's a 3 hour concentrated mix and I know to drink every 15 mins and chase with water (1/4 ratio). I don't use a timer b/c it gives me something to think about, but I know some do. In IM I swap out another 3 hour concentrate at SN. Yes, it stays good for that long--I drop it off in AM pre-race.

I have seen the new Speedfil A2, but I am not looking at gaining seconds. Every 15 minutes I take a 1/2 second "break" by sitting up and taking a swig. I've never been bored in aero position and maybe that's why.

Good luck!

Dave Campbell

Thanks everyone. Sounds like it won't be as big a hassle as I had expected.

Cary Blanco

Agreed on the 15 minute timer I do the same thing.

Also, I was referring to the cap that goes on top of the sports squeeze bottle, this cap keeps water from dripping out when mounted horizontally. Sometimes volunteers take this off (with all good intentions), I've had this happen at Syracuse 70.3 2010 and San Juan 70.3 2012.

Dave Campbell

Went with Infinit concentrated in the torpedo bottle and water off the course in the downtube cage. Worker perfectly!!
Thanks

Dave Campbell

Went with Infinit concentrated in the torpedo bottle and water off the course in the downtube cage. Worker perfectly!!
Thanks